Today is the day to help prisoners deepen their knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith.

As we pray in gratitude for God’s blessing upon all of creation and the work of our hands, let us not forget that we must do the works of holiness in our lives. Pope Francis states that the Season of Creation is a “season of increased prayer and effort on behalf of our common home.”

Pope Francis has again called for a Season of Creation. This season of increased prayer and effort on behalf of our common home begins September 1, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, and ends on October 4, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi.

Pope Francis's message calls us to attend to the "immense hardship for the most vulnerable among us," and is particularly relevant in the light of the coronavirus pandemic. Inmates at all 122 federal correctional facilities across the country have not been allowed visits from family and friends since March 13, 2020, in response to the threat of the coronavirus. That's six months! Can you imagine not being able to see any family or friends for six months? I am certain you can empathize with how they are feeling during this challenging time. This pandemic has impacted all of us and on so many levels.

Dismas Ministry has used this time to prayerfully consider the needs of the incarcerated. Our brothers and sisters behind bars are in need of God's Word and our help right now. We are committed to helping them restore their relationship with God and Catholic Church.

For 20 years, we have cared for prisoners by providing them with free Catholic resources. Dismas Ministry focuses primarily on a spiritual approach with prisoners who want to deepen their faith and strengthen their relationship with God.

We do this by providing four Catholic study courses. The study courses include:

• Bible Study, God With Us
• Faith Study, A Reason for Hope
• Prayer Study, Pray Always and,
• Social Justice Study, The Web of Life

During this time of COVID-19, where prisoners have had no access to visitors, we want to make sure they have the resources they need to continue their faith journey and strengthen their relationship with God. They may be alone and unable to receive visitors, but they could be using this time to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith.

Help us to help them build this relationship by providing study course materials for their journey.

We’ve made it easy and created two new ways for you to support and nurture the faith life of the incarcerated and show care and concern for God's creation.